Nottingham Forest’s Premier League rivals Bournemouth have confirmed the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club’s new head coach following the shock sacking of Gary O’Neill.
Bournemouth confirmed the departure of O’Neill from the club on Monday afternoon, despite the manager comfortably saving them from relegation at the end of the season. After initially being appointed as interim manager, O’Neill officially replaced Scott Parker in the hot seat in November, helping to steer the club to safety.
Despite that, The Cherries’ confirmed the manager’s departure with chairman Bill Foley saying the “change in direction will provide us with the best platform from which to build.” Shortly after O’Neill’s sacking was confirmed, Bournemouth announced the appointment of Iraola as the club’s new head coach. The 40-year-old has signed a two-year deal at the Vitality stadium following the expiry of his contract with Rayo Vallecano.
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The appointment by Bournemouth will bring to an end speculation over the manager being eyed by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis for both Forest and Olympiacos. While there was no indication that Steve Cooper would be replaced this summer, reports in Spain continued to link the manager with a move to the City Ground.
He was also previously linked with a move to Leeds United following the sacking of Jesse Marsch earlier in the season just gone. The Whites are continuing to look for a new manager after it was announced that Interim boss Sam Allardyce would not continue his role for the new campaign.
Bournemouth eventually finished the 2022/23 season in 15th place, one position and one point above Forest in the table. The two could again be competing in similar areas of the league in the new season having both made it to the top division at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
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